Staten Island Streets More Akin to Highways
A morning commute to the City for those who reside on the West shore of Staten Island usually takes them over Hylan Boulevard on their way to the Staten Island Expressway. In the morning, the route is choked and significantly delays commuters. When the route is not clogged, it turns into Staten Island’s own South Shore arterial highway. In certain stretches, especially in areas across from parks, cars and SUV’s easily pass you at speeds that make you feel like you are standing still, although you are driving at 40 miles per hour. And the people that pass you shoot an angry glance as if to say, “Get out of my way – why are you driving so slow?” This general attitude permeates to many driver’s on Staten Island.
No more so is the attitude more readily apparent than in the unfortunate and tragic death of a 17-year old Tottenville High School student, Janine Brawer. Ms. Brawer simply wanted to cross the street and another student was kind enough to show common courtesy, stopping their car to let her cross in front. What happened next robbed a young girl of her life – its apparent that a second car, either speeding or distracted, crashed into the back of the stopped car, pushing that car over Ms. Brawer. Local forums are filled with comments about the police department and how they should stop writing frivolous tickets for crimes such as speeding, failing to wear seat belts and cell phone use, the so-called quality of life crimes.
I say that the police don’t pursue these crimes enough as people seems not to care about the consequences, except when a tragedy like the loss of Ms. Brawer’s life occurs at too young of an age. My thoughts and prayers are with the Brawer family. As a father of two, I cannot imagine the unnecessary pain that the family is going through.
There is obviously a lot to learn. There are some good points here.
surface encounters mi